With temperatures in the capital soaring, this act is nothing less than blasphemous. On the one hand, we are pushing for the planting of more trees and working towards a sustainable development model, while on the other hand, governments are blindly sanctioning such acts.

In the name of urbanisation and modernisation, trees are felled very often. I remember how within a fortnight, a lush green street in Chennai was turned into a desolate one. There was such a sense of urgency in the act that the citizens had no chance to even voice their concern.

Recently in Delhi, a government order authorised the felling of about 14,000 trees for the re-development of seven South Delhi colonies.

With temperatures in the capital soaring, this act is nothing less than blasphemous. On the one hand, we are pushing for the planting of more trees and working towards a sustainable development model, while on the other hand, governments are blindly sanctioning such acts.

On Sunday, about 1,500 protesters came out to protest against this order. In what is being called a mini Chipko movement, each of these protestors tied green rakhis to the trees and made a promise to protect them.

Ramesh Singh, a resident, told News18, “We will not let the trees be cut. Delhi’s air quality level is deteriorating, and instead of finding a solution to it, we are cutting more trees.”

Promotion

Various landscape architects have also come out in support of the protestors and have said that there are other ways in which a re-development project can be carried out.

A report published in The Times of India said, “The protesters — numbering around 250 and working under the banner of the ‘Delhi Trees SOS’ campaign — stood with placards carrying messages, such as ‘We don’t want a deserted Delhi’, ‘Ban tree felling in Delhi’, ‘Where is Delhi Tree Act’ and ‘Even 1,000 new saplings can’t compensate one well-grown tree’.”

Anil Sood, an advocate who has previously filed a petition before the National Green Tribunal to stop the felling of trees told Hindustan Times, “From Monday, at least 10 volunteers will sit and spend the day at the same place at Sarojini Nagar where Sunday’s campaign was organised. This relay campaign will continue till the government revokes its decision.”

With various people’s organisations coming forward to support such important causes, there is still hope for our environment and future generations.